Receiver operating characteristics of impulse oscillometry parameters for predicting obstructive sleep apnea in preobese and obese snorers

Inability to maintain upper-airway patency during sleep is a cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its sequelae. The associated syndrome (OSAS) is common in obese populations, currently, nocturnal polysomnography is the gold standard for diagnosing this conditions, but the diagnostic procedures are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, identification of new markers of OSAS would be useful. This study aims to examine the receiver operating characteristics of impulse oscillometry (IOS) parameters for the prediction of OSAS in preobese and obese snoring patients.

In total, 230 patients with normal spirometric values were included in this cross-sectional study. Full laboratory polysomnography was performed and IOS measurements were determined in sitting and supine positions to obtain respiratory impedance (Zrs), resistance (Rrs), and reactance (Xrs) parameters. The respiratory resistance at zero-frequency (Rrs0) was extrapolated by linear regression analysis of Rrs versus low-oscillatory-frequencies and its inverse, respiratory conductance (Grs), was calculated.

In both the sitting and supine positions Rrs0, Zrs, and Rrs at five oscillatory-frequencies (Hz) and Grs, the reciprocal of Zrs5 (Gz), and Xrs at 5 Hz all had significant positive or negative correlations with OSAS severity as defined by the Respiratory disturbance index (RDI). The correlation coefficients between Rrs0, Zrs5, Rrs5, Grs, Gz, Xrs5 measured in the supine and RDI were 0.425, 0.395, 0.378, −0.425, −0.395, and −0.517, respectively (all p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristics curves showed that Xrs at 5 Hz (reactance) in the supine position was the best for predicting OSAS with a sensitivity of 73 % and specificity of 84 % at the optimal cut-off point of −0.23 (kPa s L⁻¹). The other parameters also showed acceptable discriminating power. A logistic-regression model based on respiratory function abnormalities revealed that reactance combined with patient sex and lung volume yielded a specificity of 83.3 % with a sensitivity of 76.8 % for indicating OSAS.

Respiratory resistance and reactance measured by IOS are abnormal in preobese and obese OSAS patients, and these parameters are moderate to closely correlated with OSAS severity. IOS might be a useful screening tool for detecting OSAS in clinic based populations.